Preventing squirrels from climbing onto your bird feeders is the BIGGEST problem that most bird feeding hobbyists encounter in their backyard! And while many strategies can help, one of the best ways to stop these acrobatic and persistent rodents is to use a squirrel baffle to make sure they can’t climb up your bird feeder pole (or jump down from above!). RELATED:Â 7 Effective Ways To […]
20 FUN & INTERESTING Facts About Cardinals (2019)
The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is one of the most familiar and easily recognizable birds in North America! And it’s easy to see why! Cardinals have an incredible combination of being easy to see in your backyard AND breathtaking plumage. In my opinion, the Northern Cardinal can be credited with drawing more people into the hobby of bird feeding and birding than any […]
Bluebird Houses: The Definitive Guide (Includes 7 FREE Plans!)
So you want a bluebird house in your backyard? Well, you have come to the right place. In this post, I have included everything you need to know about getting started with bluebird houses: (Click the hyperlinked text below to skip to that specific section!) 7 Free Bluebird House Plans Easy DIY Videos/PDF’s you can build yourself! Learn the seven features that […]
How To Attract Bluebirds: 6 Proven Tips (2019)
Almost anywhere you live in North America; you have the opportunity to attract bluebirds. And seriously, why would you not want these beautiful birds in your backyard? Personally, I think there is nothing more beautiful than seeing a bluebird in the snow. The incredible contrast of colors always stops me in my tracks to watch. And I’m also reminded of bluebirds every […]
8 Best Drones For Beginners To Try (2019)
I have been contemplating buying a drone. The main reason is that I want the ability to take incredible videos and photos of landscapes and wildlife. And let’s be honest, they look incredibly fun to fly! It was recommended to me that before spending a significant amount of money on a pricey drone that has lots of features, I should buy something […]
Birds In The Garden: 10 PROVEN Tips to Attract & Deter
Are you a bird enthusiast that wants to learn how to attract birds to your garden? Or are you a garden enthusiast that wishes to deter birds from your garden? Regardless of your answer, The Gardening Dad is here today to bring you proven solutions! After hours of research, trial and error, and talking to experts in the industry I have constructed: […]
13 FREE Birdhouse Plans (Easy PDF/Video Instructions!)
Before searching the internet for birdhouse plans, you should start by answering the following question: What species of birds do you want to nest in your backyard? Here’s why: There are THOUSANDS of different free birdhouse plans available online, from small houses for chickadees to platform nests for robins to large nest boxes for owls. The size, style, and location of your […]
16 Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography (Nikon & Canon)
Are you looking to take better photographs of animals and birds? Well, it’s no secret that the closer your camera can zoom, the more dramatic and interesting your pictures become. On the other hand, while taking pictures of wildlife, it’s imperative to respect nature and not cause any stress or harm. You don’t want to alter an animal’s natural behavior in any way. […]
Safflower Seed 101: Everything You Need To Know!
Safflower seed is a popular food for backyard birds. And the funny part is most people (myself included) find safflower useful not because of the birds it attracts, but for the creatures that DON’T eat safflower! (More on this below 🙂 ) Today, you will learn everything you need to know about safflower! What is safflower seed and where does it come from? What […]
Attract Orioles With These 5 SIMPLE Strategies (2019)
Why is attracting orioles to your backyard so fun and exciting? I think it’s a combination of a few things. First, regardless of the species (Baltimore, Orchard, Bullocks), orioles are absolutely gorgeous! I think their exotic orange plumage makes them look like they belong in a rain forest instead of the United States and Canada. The other reason is that even though orioles are […]
Oriole Feeders: The 8 Best To Try This Summer! (2019)
Seeing orioles at my backyard bird feeders is always exciting. Not only are these birds beautiful with their striking orange plumage, but seeing them is a sure sign that Summer is just around the corner, as most orioles arrive back to their northern breeding range sometime in May. But attracting orioles to your bird feeders presents challenges because they have an entirely different diet […]
Best Bird Feeders For Small Birds (7 PROVEN Choices!)
When most people start feeding birds in their backyard, they envision lots of beautiful species quietly sharing the food you have provided. They think somehow the birds will realize that there is plenty to go around and everyone will take turns getting their fill. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long to realize that not only do the small songbirds appreciate your free food, but so do […]
7 Effective Suet Feeders That Attract Woodpeckers!
Through the years, I have tried to find the BEST suet feeders for my backyard, constantly experimenting looking for the ones that attract the most birds. I have found there are COUNTLESS types of suet feeders that you can purchase, and they vary significantly in price, design, and quality. In this article, I plan on showing you some of the BEST suet feeders […]
The 7 Types of Bird Feeders You NEED To Know About!
“How Do I Choose The Right Type of Bird Feeder?“ It’s an extremely common question. Especially from beginners who are just discovering how much fun it is to feed wild birds! The short answer is that there are many types of bird feeders with each one having its own unique purpose. The bird feeder type that is best for you typically comes down […]
15 Most Common Birds That Visit Feeders (Simple ID Guide!)
Do you want to know the most frequently asked question people have while watching my LIVE bird cams? “What type of bird is that?“ Or I’ve observed from time to time that someone incorrectly identifies a particular species of bird, and other viewers think what they said was correct. So I thought it was time to create a guide to the common […]
Bird Seed 101: The 10 Best Types For Wild Birds
Not all types of bird seed and food are created equal. When you go to the store and see all the different bags of bird food, it’s easy to become a bit overwhelmed and wonder whats the best seeds and mixes to offer your backyard birds. Whether you just started feeding birds or you’re frustrated at the amount of food wasted at your feeders, I think […]
How To Attract Blue Jays (4 Simple Strategies)
It’s surprising to me that some people don’t enjoy seeing Blue Jays in their backyard. They think jays are a “bully” bird and are too noisy, aggressive, and messy. I could not disagree more! I love attracting Blue Jays to my yard. They are one of my favorite birds to watch because of their array of vocalizations (did you know jays imitate hawks?), intelligence, […]
Blue Jay Feeders: The 4 Working Best For Me (2019)
My family loves watching Blue Jays visit our bird feeders! Frequently heard before seen, jays typically don’t stay long at our feeding station. Once they land, they quickly take a whole peanut or fill their throat with sunflower seeds and fly off again. *Jump directly to the list of the 4 best bird feeders for Blue Jays.* Unfortunately, because of a Blue Jay’s relatively […]
How To Choose Binoculars (Step-By-Step Guide – 2019)
Choosing binoculars is challenging. There are thousands of optics ranging across many price points. Regardless if your hobby is birding, hunting, or something else, this article will help explain the different specifications, technical data, and features of binoculars you need to know before making a purchase. Quick Links: How to Choose Binoculars The 10 Features/Specifications You Need to Know About! Why are some binoculars so expensive? […]
9 Of The Best Binoculars for Kids (From $12 to $850)
Finding the best binoculars for your kids is a different process than buying ones for yourself. That’s because our children have unique needs, and let’s be honest, most parents don’t want to spend an enormous amount of money on their kid’s binoculars because of the fear they are going to get lost or broke. Here are 3 features parents consider essential when purchasing children’s binoculars: […]